Soapwort

Soapwort is a herbaceous perennial found on riverbanks and ditches or in forests and undergrowth. It is a hermaphrodite plant producing white or pink fragrant flowers which butterflies pollinate. In the past, people used its leaves and rhizomes, which have cleansing and foaming properties thanks to their content of saponins, for cleaning woollens and bleaching thread and lace. Soap can be made from soapwort by boiling the whole plant (particularly the rhizome) in water. Arab doctors in the Middle Ages recommended soapwort to help treat scabs, leprosy and ulcers. The Romans even earlier recognized these benefits and used the plant as a depurative. In the 12th century, Saint Hildegard prescribed soapwort for eye problems, ringing in the ears, chest diseases and internal ulcers. In the following centuries, many doctors used it to treat gout, rheumatism and even syphilis.